He was born April 28, 1923, at Laflin, Mo., son of Henry Lee and Annie Louise Markham Mabrey. He and Pauline Trevathan were married July 9, 1964.

Mabrey was a pipefitter at McDonnell-Douglas several years. He was a member of Marvin Park United Methodist Church and Thoman Boothe American Legion Post 338 in Woodson Terrace. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II.